Resin composition for wire and cable covering material

ABSTRACT

A flexible resin composition comprises poly(arylene ether) resin, syndiotactic polystyrene, olefin elastomer, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene copolymer, and a non-halogen fire retardant.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] The disclosure relates to a resin composition comprisingpoly(arylene ether). More particularly, it relates to a resincomposition that is suitable for wire and cable covering material as itexcels in fire retardancy without the use of halogenated compounds andchemical resistance.

[0002] Generally, amorphous resins excel in dimensional precision at thetime of injection molding because of amorphous structuralcharacteristics, and taking advantage of this characteristic, it iswidely used in for molding large objects because assembly with precisionis required. However, amorphous resins generally have weak chemicalresistance and are easily attacked by oil, organic solvent and like.

[0003] On the other hand, crystalline resins have outstanding chemicalresistance and are used in applications where the article is exposed tooil, or organic solvent etc. Generally crystalline resins are notsuitable for molding large size objects because of the low dimensionalprecision due to molding shrinkage phenomenon associated withcrystallization. Although inorganic fillers, such as glass fiber, can beadded to improve molding, these composite materials may exhibit defectslike warpage or deformation due to variations in shrinkage.

[0004] Poly(arylene ether) resin is an amorphous thermoplastic resinwith well balanced mechanical properties, outstanding electricalproperties, low water-absorbing property and excellent dimensionalresistance. Moreover, poly(arylene ether) resin is compatible withpolystyrene resin, which is also a non-crystalline thermoplastic resin,and can be modified easily. Resin compositions comprising poly(aryleneether) resin and polystyrene resin typically have outstanding moldingprocessing characteristics and impact resistance, and are widely usedfor automobile parts, electrical and electronic components. However, asmentioned above, poly(arylene ether)/ polystyrene resin compositions areamorphous and have moderate chemical resistance at best, especiallyresistance to aromatic hydrocarbon solvents, e.g. if solvent is exposedto a part which is distorted or a part with residual strain, a glaze orcrack may occur and may lead to the rupturing of the part or itscomponents. Therefore, it is generally believed that poly(aryleneether)/ polystyrene resin compositions are unsuitable for applicationswith a possibility of exposure to lubricating oil, grease, cleaner,cooking oil, oily smoke, organic gas, and the like.

[0005] Although various experiments have been performed withpoly(arylene ether)/polystyrene resin compositions in order to improvechemical resistance without negatively affecting the desirablecharacteristics of the composition, the technology to improve thechemical resistance has not been obtained. For example, it has beenproposed to blend poly(arylene ether)/polystyrene resin compositionswith a crystalline resin, such as polyolefin (e.g. polyethylene,polypropylene, EEA), polyester, nylon etc.; low molecular weight olefinseries (e.g. polybutene, ethylene oligomer etc.); and rubber typepolymer (e.g. SEBS, SBS, SEPS rubber etc.). However, in this technology,addition of a small amount provides a small improvement in chemicalresistance, and the addition of larger amounts to a demonstrate apractical level of chemical resistance affects the mechanical strength,dimensional stability, fire retardancy, and/or causes delamination ofthe molded part.

[0006] Moreover, PVC resin is the conventionally used resin compositionfor wire and cable covering material. However PVC resin has low heatresistance temperature (60° C.), and contains halogen. Halogencontaining resin compositions are increasingly undesirable.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a resin composition for wire andcable covering material, which is excellent in fire retardancy (withoutthe use of halogens), excels in chemical resistance, and has excellentcompatibility, processability, heat resistance, impact resistance andflexibility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The above mentioned problem may be addressed by a flexible resincomposition comprising poly(arylene ether) resin, syndiotacticpolystyrene, olefin elastomer, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene copolymer,and a non-halogen fire retardant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The flexible resin composition comprises poly(arylene ether)resin, syndiotactic polystyrene, olefin elastomer, hydrogenatedstyrene-butadiene copolymer, and a non-halogen fire retardant. Thecomposition excels in fire retardancy and chemical resistance,particularly in bent or distorted areas, and has outstandingprocessability, heat resistance, impact resistance and flexibility,making it highly useful in wire and cable covering applications. Thepoly(arylene ether) resin preferably comprises apoly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)ether having intrinsic viscosity in therange of 0.08 to 0.60 dl/g when measured in chloroform at 25° C. Theolefin elastomer preferably comprises an ethylene-octene elastomer. Thenon-halogen fire retardant preferably comprises an aromatic phosphateester.

[0010] In one embodiment, the resin composition comprises 5 to 60 partsby weight poly(arylene ether), 0 to 50 parts by weight syndiotacticpolystyrene, 5 to 50 parts by weight olefin elastomer, 3 to 30 parts byweight hydrogenated styrene and butadiene block copolymer having styrenecontent of at least 40% by weight, and 3 to 30 parts by weightnon-halogen fire retardant, based on the combined weight of poly(aryleneether), syndiotactic polystyrene, olefin elastomer, hydrogenated styreneand butadiene block copolymer and non-halogen fire retardant.

[0011] Poly(arylene ether)s per se, are known polymers comprising aplurality of structural units of the formula (I):

[0012] wherein, Q¹ and Q² independently represent hydrogen atom, halogenatom, hydrocarbon group, substituted hydrocarbon group, alkoxy group,cyano group, phenoxy group or nitro group respectively, and the polymerrepresented by general formula (I) can be used independently or can beused as copolymer formed by combining at least two kinds. Examples of Q¹and Q² include methyl, ethyl, propyl, aryl, phenyl, benzyl,methylbenzyl, chloromethyl, bromomethyl, cyanoethyl, cyano, methoxy,ethoxy, phenoxy, nitro groups etc. Preferably Q¹ are alkyl groups,specifically alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and Q² are hydrogenatom(s) or alkyl group(s) having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0013] Preferred poly(arylene ether) resins include poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene) ether, poly (2,6-diethyl-1,4-phenylene)ether, poly (2-methyl-6-ethyl-1,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2-methyl-6-propyl-1,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2,6-dipropyl-1,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2-ethyl-6-propyl-1,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2,6-dichloromethyl-1,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2,6-dibromomethyl-1,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2,6-diphenyl-1,4-phenylene) ether, poly (2,6-ditolyl-1,4-phenylene)ether, poly (2,6-dichloro-1,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2,6-dibenzyl-1,4-phenylene) ether, and poly(2,5-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene) ether etc. Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene) ether is preferred.

[0014] Suitable copolymers include random copolymers containing, forexample, such units in combination with 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4-phenyleneether units or copolymers derived from copolymerization of2,6-dimethylphenol with 2,3,6-trimethylphenol. Also included arepoly(arylene ether) containing moieties prepared by grafting vinylmonomers or polymers such as polystyrenes, as well as coupledpoly(arylene ether) in which coupling agents such as low molecularweight polycarbonates, quinones, heterocycles and formals undergoreaction in known manner with the hydroxy groups of two poly(aryleneether) chains to produce a higher molecular weight polymer.

[0015] Moreover, a modifier that has polar group can modify thepoly(arylene ether) resin. Exemplary polar groups include acidichydride, carbonyl, acid anhydride, acid amide, carboxylate ester, azide,sulfonate, nitrile, cyano, isocyanate ester, amino, imide, hydroxyl,epoxy, oxazoline, and thiol.

[0016] The poly(arylene ether) resin preferably has an intrinsicviscosity of 0.08 to 0.60 dl/g (measured at 25° C. using chloroform as asolvent). Preferably the poly(arylene ether) resin is poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene) ether with an intrinsic viscosity of 0.12to 0.51 dl/g (measured at 25° C. using chloroform as a solvent).

[0017] The poly(arylene ether) resin is present in an amount of about 5to about 60 parts by weight, preferably about 10 to about 50 parts byweight based on 100 parts by weight of the resin composition.

[0018] Syndiotactic polystyrene is polystyrene with a highly regularstereochemical structure, that is to say, a highly syndiotacticconfiguration. In other words, the phenyl groups and substituted phenylgroups of the side groups are alternately located at opposite positionswith respect to the main polymer chain. The tacticity in thestereochemical structure may be quantitatively determined by measurementof the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) using an isotope of carbon(¹³C-NMR). The tacticity measured by the ¹³C-NMR method can show thecontent of a sequence in which a specific number of the constitutingunits are bonded in sequence, such as a diad in which two constitutingunits are bonded in sequence, a triad in which three constituting unitsare bonded in sequence, and a pentad in which five constituting unitsare bonded in sequence. A syndiotactic polystyrene is herein defined asa polystyrene, poly(alkylstyrene), poly(halogenated styrene),poly(halogenated alkylstyrene), poly(alkoxystyrene), poly(vinylbenzoicacid ester), hydrogenated derivative of these polymers, mixturescomprising one of the foregoing polymers, or a copolymer containingconstituting units of these polymers as the main components, whichgenerally has the syndiotacticity of 75% or more, preferably 85% ormore, expressed in terms of the content of the racemic diad, or 30% ormore, preferably 50% or more, expressed in terms of the content of theracemic pentad.

[0019] Examples of poly(alkylstyrene) include, but are not limited to,poly(methylstyrene), poly(ethylstyrene), poly(isopropylstyrene),poly(tertiary-butylstyrene), poly(phenylstyrene),poly(vinylnaphthalene), and poly(vinylstyrene). Examples of thepoly(halogenated styrene) include poly(chlorostyrene),poly(bromostyrene), and poly(fluorostyrene). Examples of thepoly-(halogenated alkylstyrene) include poly(chloromethylstyrene).Examples of the poly(alkoxystyrene) include poly(methoxystyrene) andpoly(ethoxystyrene).

[0020] Particularly preferable examples of syndiotactic polystyreneinclude polystyrene, poly(p-methylstyrene), poly(m-methylstyrene),poly(p-tertiary-butylstyrene), poly(p-chlorostyrene),poly(m-chlorostyrene), poly(p-fluorostyrene), hydrogenated polystyrene,copolymers containing comprising units of the above polymers andcombinations comprising one of the foregoing syndiotactic polystyrenes.

[0021] The molecular weight of the styrenic polymer is not particularlylimited. The weight-average molecular weight is preferably greater thanor equal to about 10,000 atomic mass units (AMU), and preferably greaterthan or equal to about 50,000, as determined by gel permeationchromatography. The molecular weight distribution is not particularlylimited, and syndiotactic polystyrene having various molecular weightdistributions can be used. The melting point of the syndiotacticpolystyrene is about 200 to about 310° C.

[0022] Syndiotactic polystyrene can be produced by polymerizing astyrenic monomer (a monomer corresponding to the repeating unit insyndiotactic polystyrene) in an inert hydrocarbon solvent or in theabsence of solvents by using a titanium compound and a condensationproduct of water and trialkylaluminum as the catalyst.

[0023] The above mentioned syndiotactic styrene polymer can be modifiedby modifier, which has polar group. As polar group, such as acidichydride, carbonyl group, acid anhydride, acid amide, carboxylate ester,azide, sulfon group, nitrile group, cyano group, isocyanate ester, aminogroup, imide group, hydroxyl group, epoxy group, oxazoline group, thiolgroup etc., are included. Specifically, acid anhydride and epoxy groupsare preferred as polar groups and amongst the acid anhydride, maleicanhydride is preferred.

[0024] The syndiotactic polystyrene is present in an amount of 0 toabout 50 parts by weight, preferably 5 to about 35 parts by weight, andmore preferably about 10 to about 30 parts by weight, based on 100 partsby weight of the resin composition.

[0025] Suitable olefin elastomers are obtained by randomcopolymerization of ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins having 3 to12 carbon atoms. Exemplary alpha-olefins include propylene, 1-butene,1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, etc. They can be usedindependently or in combination.

[0026] The olefin elastomer can be prepared by methods such ashigh-pressure ion-catalyzed polymerization, vapor phase polymerization,and solution polymerization using well-known titanium catalyst ormetallocene catalyst.

[0027] The olefin elastomer is present in amounts of about 5 to about 50parts by weight, preferably about 10 to about 40 parts by weight, basedon 100 parts by weight resin composition.

[0028] Hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer preferably has astyrene content greater than or equal to about 40% by weight, morepreferably greater than or equal to about 50% by weight, based on thetotal weight of the hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer.

[0029] The hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer is obtained bythe hydrogenation of a block copolymer comprising polymer block Acomprising styrene, and polymer block B comprising butadiene. Forexample, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer may have astructure such as A-B, A-B-A, B-A-B-A, A-B-A-B-A, B-A-B-A-B, and thelike.

[0030] The distribution of monomers in the polymer blocks may be random,tapered (monomer components are increased or decreased as per themolecular chain), partial block type or a combination of two or more ofthe foregoing. When polymer block A comprising styrene, and polymerblock B comprising hydrogenated butadiene comprise at least two blocks,each polymer block can either have the same structure, or different.

[0031] Moreover, there is no particular limitation on the mode ofincorporation of the butadiene in the polymer block comprisingbutadiene. For example, when the conjugated diene is 1,3-butadienepreferably 1,2-incorporation is about 20 to about 50%, more preferablyabout 25 to about 45%.

[0032] The number average molecular weight of the hydrogenatedstyrene-butadiene block copolymer is about 5,000 to 1,000,000 AMU,preferably about 10,000 to about 800,000 AMU, and most preferred isabout 30,000 to about 500,000 AMU. The molecular weight distribution(ratio of weight average molecular weight (Mw) and number averagemolecular weight (Mn) (Mw/Mn)) is at least about 10. In addition, themolecular structure of hydrogenated block copolymer may be straightchain, branched chain, radial, or their combination.

[0033] The block copolymer comprising above-mentioned structure can beprepared by any of the method. According to preparation method mentionedin Kokai No. 40-23798, styrene-butadiene block copolymer may besynthesized in an inert solvent using lithium catalyst, and thehydrogenation of the styrene-butadiene block copolymer can be carriedout by any method mentioned in Kokai No. 42-8704 and Kokai No. 43-6636.Specifically, the hydrogenated block copolymer prepared using a titaniumhydrogenated catalyst has outstanding weather resistance andheat-resistance and thus is preferred. A hydrogenated block copolymercan be synthesized by the method mentioned in Kokai No. 59-133203 andKokai No. 60-79005 where hydrogenation is carried out in an inertsolvent in the presence of a titanium hydrogenated catalyst.

[0034] Preferably at least 80% of the double bonds of butadiene arehydrogenated, based on the total amount of butadiene in the blockcopolymer, and the butadiene containing blocks are morphologicallyconverted to olefin compound containing blocks. There is no restrictionwith regard to the amount of hydrogenation of the aromatic double bondspresent in the copolymer, but an aromatic hydrogenation less than 20% ispreferred. The amount of unhydrogenated aliphatic double bond containedin the hydrogenated block copolymer can be easily determined by infraredphotometer, nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus etc.

[0035] The hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer is present inan amount of about 3 to about 30 parts by weight, preferably about 5 toabout 20 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight resincomposition.

[0036] Although various fire retardants other than a halogen fireretardant can be used as a non-halogen fire retardant, phosphate esterfire retardants are preferred. Exemplary phosphate ester fire retardantsinclude trimethyl phosphate, triethyl phosphate, tripropyl phosphate,tributyl phosphate, tripentyl phosphate, trihexyl phosphate,tricyclohexyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate,trixylenyl phosphate, dimethyl ethyl phosphate, methyl dibutylphosphate, ethyl dipropyl phosphate, hydroxyphenyl diphenyl phosphateand combinations of two or more of the foregoing.

[0037] Phosphate ester fire retardants also include aromaticpolyphosphate esters. Useful polyphosphate esters include those that canbe represented by the following general formula:

[0038] where R has one of the following structures:

[0039] and n varies from 1 to 10, Ar₁ to Ar₄ are a phenyl group, tolylgroup or xylyl group. Further, when n is at least 2, each Ar₄ may besame or differ. Preferably R is A4. The polyphosphate esters can be usedindependently or at least two types can also be used together. Preferredphosphate ester fire retardant are aromatic phosphate esters.

[0040] It is desirable that the non-halogen fire retardant is present inan amount of about 3 to about 30 parts by weight, preferably about 5 toabout 25 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the resincomposition.

[0041] The flexible resin composition may further comprise one or moreadditive agents, such as pigments, dyes, fire retardancy supporter,stiffener (e.g. glass fibre, carbon fibre, whisker etc.), filler (carbonblack, silica, titanium oxide, mica, talc, calcium carbonate, potassiumtitanate, wollastonite etc.), antioxidant, ultraviolet absorbent, lightstabilizer, lubricant, mold lubricant, nucleating agents, plasticizer(oil, low molecular weight polyethylene, epoxidized soybean oil,polyethylene glycol, fatty acid ester, etc.), fluidity improving agent,antistatic agent, compatibilizer (dicarboxylic acid and anhydrate, suchas maleic anhydride, citric acid), antibacterial agent etc., can beadded during blending or molding of the resin composition within thelimits which do not have any adverse effect on the invention.

[0042] The light stabilizer or ultraviolet absorbent, such as hinderedamine compound, benzoate compound, benzotriazole compound, benzophenoneor formamidine etc. are effective in granting and improving the weatherresistance. Furthermore, nucleating agents, such as inorganic talc,metallic salts of aromatic carboxylic acid, organic nucleating agents,such as sorbitol or metallic salts of aromatic phosphoric acid areeffective in granting and improving the rigidity and brittleness.

[0043] There is no restriction for the preparation method of theflexible resin composition. Conventional methods can be usedsatisfactorily, and the common method-fusion and kneading method ispreferred. Although use of small amount of solvent is also possible,generally it is unnecessary. As fusion and kneading apparatus, monoaxialextruder, biaxial extruder, banbury mixer, roller mixer, kneader,brabender plastograph etc., are listed, but biaxial extruder ispreferred for fusion and kneading method. The fusion and kneadingtemperature is not limited, but the common range is 150 to 350.

[0044] Thus, after insulating the electrical conductor, such as copperwire, using the obtained resin composition, and wires and cables aremanufactured by extrusion.

[0045] The invention is further described by the following non-limitingexamples.

EXAMPLES

[0046] The following examples were prepared using the material listed inTable 1. TABLE 1 Component Description PPEPoly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)ether with an intrinsic viscosity of0.46 dl/g as measured in chloroform at 30° C. (brand name: PPO646,manufactured by Japan GE Plastic Ltd.. GPPS Atactic styrene polymer(brand name: CR-3500, manufactured by Dainippon Ink And Chemicals Ltd.)s-PS Syndiotactic polystyrene having syndiotacticity represented byracemic pentad of 98% per ¹³C NMR analysis (brand name: Zarrek130ZC,manufactured by Idemitsu Petrochemicals Ltd.). EOR Ethylene-octeneelastomer (brand name: EXACT8201, Exxon Mobil Chemical Co. Ltd. ProductHigh styrene Hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer havingstyrene SEBS content of at least 67% by weight (brand name: TuftecH1043, Asahi Chemicals Co. Ltd. product) High Hydrogenatedstyrene-butadiene block copolymer having styrene molecular content of33% by weight, (brand name: Clayton G1651, Clayton weight polymer Co.Ltd. product) SEBS Low Hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymerhaving styrene molecular content of 29% by weight, (brand name: ClaytonG1650, Clayton weight polymer Co. Ltd. product) SEBS Fire retardantCompound represented by the following formula,

and mixtures wherein r = 1 to 10 (brand name: CR733S, manufactured byDaihachi-chemicals co. ltd.) Liquid Liquid petroleum (brand name:Flexon845, manufactured by Esso petroleum Sekiyu Co. Ltd.), PhosphorousPhosphorous stabilizer (brand name: Mark 2113, manufactured bystabilizer Asahi Denka Kogyo Co. Ltd.), HP system Hindered phenolstabilizer system antioxidant: (brand name: antioxidant Mark A050,manufactured by Asahi Denka Kogyo Co. Ltd.) ZnS Zinc sulfide, brandname: SACHTOLITH HD, manufactured by Sachtleben co. ltd. MgO Magnesiumoxide, brand name: Kyowa Mag 150, Kyowa chemical industry co. ltd.

Examples 1 to 2 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3

[0047] The pellets were manufactured by melting and kneading thecomponents in the amounts as shown in Table 2 by using 30 mm biaxialextruder at kneading temperature 280° C. and revolution speed 280rotation per minute (rpm). Test pieces were prepared using by injectionmolding with a melt temperature of 280° C. and a tool temperature of 60°C.

[0048] Electric wire of outer diameter 0.94 millimeters (mm) was made bycoextrusion using the above described compositions at a temperature of280° C. with linear velocity 130 to 260 meters per hour (m/hour). Thefollowing evaluations were performed for the obtained test piece andelectric wire. The results are shown in Table 2. The measuring methodsused for evaluation are as follows. Notched Izod impact strength (Izodimpact strength) measured in accordance with ASTM D256 at 230C. Tensilestrength was measured in accordance with ASTM D638. Tensile elongationwas measured in accordance with ASTM D638. Flexural intensity wasmeasured in accordance with ASTM D790. Flexural modulus was measured inaccordance with ASTM D790. Heat distortion temperature (HDT) wasmeasured in accordance with ASTM D648. Melt Flow Index (MFI) wasmeasured in accordance with ASTM D1238 at 250° C., load 10 kg. Specificgravity was measured in accordance with ASTM D792. Chemical resistancetest: Strand of 1 mm diameter was prepared by melting the obtainedpellets at 280° C. The strands were cut into sections having a weight ofapproximately 1 gram and immersed in gasoline (regular gasoline,Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd.). The pieces were removed from gasoline after 20hours, and dried at room temperature for 24 hours. Further it was driedfor 24 hours at 80° C. The weight retention was determined after andbefore gasoline immersion test. TABLE 2 Resin Composition Comp. Comp.Comp. (parts by weight) Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 PPE 29 22 29 29 29GPPS — — 29 29 — s-PS 29 20 — — 29 EOR 25 33 — — — High styrene SEBS 6 8— — — High molecular — — 31 — 31 weight SEBS Low molecular — — — 31 —weight SEBS Fire retardant 11 17 11 11 11 Liquid petroleum 3 3 3 3 3Phosphate 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 stabilizer HP system 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5antioxidant ZnS 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 MgO 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Evaluationparameter Unit Result Izod impact J/m 434 702 672 833 718 strengthTensile Mpa 32 19 23 27 26 strength Tensile % 76 147 72 21 86 elongationFlexural MPa 56 32 28 43 41 intensity Flexural MPa 1938 1159 1295 13021424 modulus HDT 0C 83.6 65.2 87.2 87.6 85.8 MFI g/10 26 116 47 22 14min Specific — 1.03 1.03 10.3 1.04 1.04 gravity Chemical % 89 77 65 6671 resistance test

Examples 3 and 4

[0049] Electric wires were prepared using the resin composition ofExamples 1 and 2. The electric wire had an outer diameter of 0.94 mm andan inner diameter of 0.54 mm. The extrusion kneader temperature was 280°C. The linear velocity was 108 to 160 meters per minute (m/min). Thefollowing evaluations were carried out regarding the obtained electricwire and the results are shown in Table 3. Fire retardancy was measuredin accordance with ISO6722. Chemical resistance was measured inaccordance with ISO6722 and the chemical used was gasoline (IdemitsuKosan Co. Ltd. Product). TABLE 3 Resin Composition (parts by weight)Example 3 Example 4 PPE 29 22 GPPS — — s-PS 29 20 EOR 25 33 High styreneSEBS 6 8 High molecular weight SEBS — — Low molecular weight SEBS — —Fire retardant 11 17 Liquid petroleum 3 3 Phosphate stabilizer 0.5 0.5HP system antioxidant 0.5 0.5 ZnS 0.1 0.1 MgO 0.1 0.1 EvaluationEvaluation Characteristics parameter method Evaluation result Fireretardancy ISO6722 Pass Pass Chemical ISO6722 Pass Pass resistance test

[0050] While preferred embodiments have been shown and described,various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it isto be understood that the present invention has been described by way ofillustration and not limitations.

1. A flexible resin composition comprising poly(arylene ether) resin,syndiotactic polystyrene, olefin elastomer, hydrogenatedstyrene-butadiene copolymer, and a non-halogen fire retardant.
 2. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the poly(arylene ether) has an intrinsicviscosity of about 0.08 to about 0.60 dl/g, measured at 25° C. inchloroform.
 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the poly(aryleneether) is poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene) ether.
 4. The composition ofclaim 1, wherein the poly(arylene ether) is modified with a modifierhaving a polar group.
 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein thepoly(arylene ether) is present in an amount of about 5 to about 60 partsby weight, based on the combined weight of poly(arylene ether),syndiotactic polystyrene, olefin elastomer, hydrogenatedstyrene-butadiene and non-halogen fire retardant.
 6. The composition ofclaim 1, wherein the syndiotactic polystyrene has a syndiotacticity of30% or more expressed in terms of the content of the racemic pentad. 7.The composition of claim 1, wherein the syndiotactic polystyrene has aweight average molecular weight greater than or equal to about 10,000atomic mass units as determined by gel permeation chromatography.
 8. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the syndiotactic polystyrene is modifiedwith a modifier having a polar group.
 9. The composition of claim 1,wherein the syndiotactic polystyrene is present in an amount of 0 toabout 35 parts by weight, based on the combined weight of poly(aryleneether), syndiotactic polystyrene, olefin elastomer, hydrogenatedstyrene-butadiene and non-halogen fire retardant.
 10. The composition ofclaim 1, wherein the olefin elastomer is a random copolymer of ethyleneand one or more alpha-olefins having 3 to 12 carbon atoms.
 11. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the olefin elastomer is anethylene-octene copolymer.
 12. The composition of claim 1, wherein theolefin elastomer is present is an amount of about 5 to about 50 parts byweight, based on the combined weight of poly(arylene ether),syndiotactic polystyrene, olefin elastomer, hydrogenatedstyrene-butadiene and non-halogen fire retardant.
 13. The composition ofclaim 1, wherein the hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer hasa styrene content greater than or equal to about 40% by weight, based onthe total weight of the hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer.14. The composition of claim 13, wherein the hydrogenatedstyrene-butadiene block copolymer has a styrene content greater than orequal to about 50% by weight, based on the total weight of thehydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer.
 15. The composition ofclaim 13, wherein the hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer hasa number average molecular weight of about 5,000 to about 1,000,000atomic mass units.
 16. The composition of claim 1, wherein thehydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer has at least 80% of thedouble bonds of butadiene hydrogenated.
 17. The composition of claim 1,wherein the hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer is present inan amount of about 3 to about 30 parts by weight, based on the combinedweight of poly(arylene ether), syndiotactic polystyrene, olefinelastomer, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene and non-halogen fireretardant.
 18. The composition of claim 1, wherein the non-halogen fireretardant is a phosphate ester fire retardant.
 19. The composition ofclaim 1, wherein the non-halogen fire retardant is selected from thegroup consisting of trimethyl phosphate, triethyl phosphate, tripropylphosphate, tributyl phosphate, tripentyl phosphate, trihexyl phosphate,tricyclohexyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate,trixylenyl phosphate, dimethyl ethyl phosphate, methyl dibutylphosphate, ethyl dipropyl phosphate, hydroxyphenyl diphenyl phosphate,and combinations of two or more of the foregoing.
 19. The composition ofclaim 1, wherein the non-halogen fire retardant is an aromaticpolyphosphate ester.
 20. The composition of claim 1, wherein thenon-halogen fire retardant is a polyphosphate ester represented by thefollowing formula:

where R has one of the following structures:

n varies from 1 to 10, and Ar₁ to Ar₄ are a phenyl group, tolyl group orxylyl group.
 21. The composition of claim 1, wherein the non-halogenfire retardant is present in an amount of about 5 to about 25 parts byweight, based on the combined weight of poly(arylene ether),syndiotactic polystyrene, olefin elastomer, hydrogenatedstyrene-butadiene and non-halogen fire retardant.
 22. The composition ofclaim 1, wherein the syndiotactic polystyrene is present in an amount of5 to about 35 parts by weight, based on the combined weight ofpoly(arylene ether), syndiotactic polystyrene, olefin elastomer,hydrogenated styrene-butadiene and non-halogen fire retardant.
 23. Anelectric wire comprising the composition of claim
 1. 24. A flexibleresin composition comprising poly(arylene ether) resin, syndiotacticpolystyrene, a polyethylene-octene copolymer, hydrogenatedstyrene-butadiene copolymer, and a non-halogen fire retardant.
 25. Aflexible resin composition comprising poly(arylene ether) resin,syndiotactic polystyrene, a polyethylene-octene copolymer, hydrogenatedstyrene-butadiene copolymer having a styrene content greater than orequal to about 50% by weight, based on the total weight of thehydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer, and a non-halogen fireretardant, wherein the hydrogenated styrene-butadiene copolymer has astyrene content greater than or equal to about 50% by weight, based onthe total weight of the hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer.